His plea comes in the wake of yesterday’s revelations about the Hillsborough disaster.

‘I speak as a human being and I don’t ever like to hear anything like that, whatever club it is, that associates with other people’s tragedies and death,’ said the Reds boss.

‘Unfortunately you have a very small percentage of idiots at any club who will always try to smear another club’s reputation.

‘Of course, it is obvious these are chants that no-one wants to hear about any club.

‘Unfortunately there are that minority of supporters who will maybe disappoint but let’s hope we can all move on and we can all learn from this whole process.’

the Hillsborough Independent Panel released their report yesterday (Picture: PA)

Rodgers, who took over the helm at Anfield during the summer, said he had nothing but admiration for the campaigning effort by the families of the 96 victims, who fought for more than two decades for the truth about what happened at Hillsborough.

‘It has been incredible what they have had to go through,’ he said.

‘I was a 16-year-old boy in Northern Ireland at the time and I sit here today as a 39-year-old and the families have just had justice.

‘My respect goes out to everyone involved in that process over 23 long, hard, arduous years and hopefully they found some sort of justice yesterday.’

Liverpool fans have spent years campaigning for the truth about the Hillsborough disaster (Picture: Getty)

The Northern Irishman added that he thought their determination was nothing short of inspirational for both himself and his side.

‘I have met with some of the campaigners since I’ve been here and had a shortened version of what they have been through and it has been remarkable really for all the families,’ he added.

‘The inspiring effect it has had on me alone, and certainly for the club, is that you fight: there is a cause there and if you feel strongly enough about it you must be relentless to make a wrong right.

‘These people have done that. They have suffered – none of us can begin to imagine what they have been through. Everyone will draw inspiration from how hard they have fought and the time and effort which goes into protecting those loved ones.

‘I don’t think it’s only a message for the football club and the city, I think it is a world message.’